London Scottish Announce Royal Patronage | Scottish Rugby Union Home / News / London Scottish Announce Royal Patronage London Scottish Announce Royal Patronage Scottish Rugby London Scottish FC is delighted to announce that HRH Princes Anne, The Princess Royal is to become Patron of the Club. Princess Anne is Patron of over 200 charities, as well as the Scottish Rugby Union and Friends of Scottish Rugby. However, it is thought that this will mark the first occasion that she has become Patron of an individual rugby club. As part of her patronage, Princess Anne will be likely to attend an official Club function, as well as lend her support to other Club initiatives such as the Community Programme, Schools 6 Nations and Junior teams. London Scottish President Rod Lynch was instrumental in approaching Her Royal Highness: "This is a great and unique honour for London Scottish. I believe we are the only Rugby Club in the country with a Royal Patron although HRH is also Patron of the SRU and of Gloucestershire County RFU.

Despite being the busiest member of the Royal Family in terms of engagements I have no doubt she will be attending a number of our games and functions in the coming years." The Royal Association: Princess Anne – Scottish Rugby Union – Royal Central Princess Anne takes part in appointing first Geographer Royal since Victorian era In their roles as the leaders of the nation, the members of the Royal Family are involved with some charities across the UK. Since the 18th century, the Royal Family have been associated with the charities of their choice . Between them, they currently hold 3,000 patronages of charitable organisations. Princess Anne pictured here during a visit to Tameside Carers Centre, in Audenshaw. As an active and hardworking member of the Royal Family, the Princess Royal too has lent her name to a range of charities and organisations. Among these is the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU), an association of which the Princess has a been a Patron for nearly 30 years. The Scottish Football Union, as it was known then, was founded in 1873, ahead of the formation of the International Rugby Football Board in 1886.

The very first rugby international match was played at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, on a cricket field. This tradition persisted, and all international matches in Scotland were played on cricket fields, until 1897, when the Scottish Football Union bought land at Inverleith. Inverleith was the home of Scottish Rugby until the Murrayfield Stadium was built in 1925. Shortly before the completion of the stadium, the SFU changed its name to the Scottish Rugby Union. Princess Anne has been a regular visitor to Murrayfield since the 1980’s and watches team Scotland play multiple times a year. “The Princess Royal is a long-standing and committed supporter of Scottish rugby,” said a spokesperson for the SRU. “We were greatly honoured when she performed the official opening of the East Stand at Murrayfield in 1983 and were absolutely delighted when she became our patron in the 1986-7 season.

She has been a most welcome visitor to Murrayfield in her capacity as our patron in every season since.” Royals in Scotland: Palaces, paparazzi and garden parties Royals in Scotland: Palaces, paparazzi and garden parties STV Local A peek into how the Royal family has connections to all walks of Scottish life, right across the country. Deadline The Queen is visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow this week, but what do you know about the Royal family in Scotland? While their official visit itinerary has been made public, the Royals have a lot more going on in Scotland than the annual week-long holiday - known as Holyrood Week. From restoring and exhibiting some of the country's most important artworks to falling in love in our educational establishments, the Royal family is connected to Scottish life and culture in many ways. So where do they go and what do they do? Of course we'll never know everything, but below is a round-up of some of what we do know; from private retreats to museum pieces and even Prince Charles' favourite affordable housing scheme. Residences around Scotland Edinburgh Every summer the Queen heads to Edinburgh to take up residence in the state-owned Palace of Holyroodhouse .

The trip sees HRH hosting dinners, engagements and a garden party - with a weather-proof marquee for the typically unpredictable weather . Aberdeenshire There are three private Royal residences in Abderdeenshire: Balmoral Castle, Craigowan Lodge and Delnadamph Lodge. Home to the Royals since 1848 when it was purchased by Queen Victoria, Balmoral Castle is said to be the family favourite. The Queen was in residence there when Princes Diana died in 1997. The estate was used by the cast and crew of 2006 film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren. However substitute locations including Blairquhan Castle were used for much of the recording. In Balmoral's grounds is Craigowan Lodge, a seven-bedroom house often used by the Queen in the first few days of her summer holiday. The original 1860 Delnadamph Lodge , close to the River Don, was demolished in 1988 and is currently being rebuilt for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. The couple also regularly visit the privately owned Birkhall House beside the River Muick, where they spent their second honeymoon in 2005.

Fife Had Prince William not gone to St Andrews University, the chances are we may never have had last year's Royal Wedding. He met Catherine Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge, at the Fife university town in 2001 and the pair were engaged by 2010. They attended the same history of art lectures and had rooms in the same hall of residence. Building houses While the Royal family has plenty of its own property to retreat to (see above), efforts are well underway to give something back. The Knockroon development in an attempt at building a village from scratch in Ayrshire. Driven by The Prince's Trust, the project featured in a recent documentary 'Prince Charles: The Royal Restoration' which can be viewed on the STV Player . Prince Charles recently took time out of his visits to Knockroon to visit families who featured in controversial TV documentary The Scheme and read the weather . On the waves Edinburgh is the permanent home of the Royal Yacht Britannia , which is moored beside Ocean Terminal. It currently features a special Jubilee exhibition, as 2012 also marks the 60th anniversary of the laying down of Britannia's keel.

A treasure trove of art, here in Scotland When it comes to art, the Queen is doing her bit to protect some of Europe's most important works. The Royal Collection has a treasure trove of work from the Queen's palaces, and it's currently on display at The Queen's Gallery at Holyroodhouse. Showing until 4 November, highlights include paintings by Rembrandt, Canaletto and Nash, drawings by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Holbein, and Imperial Easter Eggs by Faberge. Most of the works are being shown in Scotland for the first time. More details here . A special Jubilee exhibition showcasing ten drawings by Leonardo da Vinci will be on display at Dundee's McManus Art Gallery and Museum between 31 August and 4 November. More details here . Celebrating the press It's well documented that press photographers have played a big part in the recent history of the Royal family. The Queen has been photographed many millions of times, but just 60 pictures have made it to an exhibition due to go on show in November this year. The Queen: 60 Photographs for 60 Years showcases the work of leading press snappers across six decades to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.

The exhibition goes on display between 16 November to 24 February at Holyroodhouse. The Queen’s Gallery hosts various exhibitions from the Royal collection . Based at Holyrood, it was opened by Her Majesty on 29 November 2002, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It was built at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School. Supporting Scottish rugby The Princess Royal is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union, and has been a supporter of the national team through thick and thin. She also makes a point of singing Flower of Scotland during the national anthems. Contacting the Queen It almost goes without saying that you're unlikely to randomly bump into the Queen while she visits Scotland. But the Royal household does encourage you to contact her. There's a whole webpage dedicated to it . Have you ever met a member of the Royal family during a Scottish visit? Do you have pictures of the occasion? Drop us a line with your story and we can share it with our users. Share this article By continuing you agree to our Terms of Use , including our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy . Any issues contact us .

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By doing so, you confirm that you and your parent or guardian have read and accept our Voting Terms of Use , Privacy Policy and Cookie policy , and that the details you have entered are correct. We'll look after them as carefully as if they were our own. Queen of Scots: The bond between the Princess Royal and Scotland as she prepares to turn 60 - The Scotsman Queen of Scots: The bond between the Princess Royal and Scotland as she prepares to turn 60 23:04 23:47 Friday 13 August 2010 WHEN she was only a little girl, the Princess Royal embarked on a family holiday that would instill in her a deep and abiding affection for a nation and its people. Aged five, she accompanied her mother and Prince Charles on a trip further north than she had ever ventured, to the village of Portvoller on the Isle of Lewis. While there, the Royal Family visited Tiumpan Head lighthouse on the Eye Peninsula. Her elder brother, by then a responsible seven-year-old, may have been the one permitted to blow the foghorn, but it was the Queen's only daughter who answered Scotland's call.

On the eve of Princess Anne's 60th birthday, warm tributes have been paid from observers of the monarchy and organisations in Scotland, which have benefited from her support over the years. Regarded by many as Scotland's favourite member of the Royal Family, she has followed up that fateful trip to Lewis with countless engagements in Scotland down the decades. Such is the extent of her presence in the country, many have grown to fondly regard her as the unofficial Queen of Scots. "The Princess Royal spent a lot of time in Scotland as a child," Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, told The Scotsman. "I think it has given her a lifelong love for the country." Despite her 60th birthday tomorrow, the princess has made it clear she has no intention of giving up her status as the hardest-working member of her family. Asked in a special BBC interview this week whether she would ever slow down on her commitments, she replied: "Look around at the members of my family who are considerably older than me and tell me whether they have set an example which suggests I might – unlikely." It is that drive and public service that have so endeared her to the people of Scotland.

Last year alone, she carried out more than 600 engagements, a vast number of which were north of the Border. According to the records of the Court Circular, she visited a staggering array of communities in 2009, ranging from the capital city and towns in the Central Belt to villages in the Highlands and Islands. Her destinations included Anstruther, Banff, Denny, Edinburgh, Galashiels, Glenrothes, Greenock, Jura, Kirkwall, Lewis, Melrose, Muir of Ord, Oyne, Prestwick, Tain and Wick. With such fearsome itineraries commonplace, it is little wonder that Zara Phillips continues to draw inspiration from her mother's stamina. "I'm always amazed by how much she can fit into a week, the amount of different places she goes in the country and people she meets," she told the BBC programme The Princess Royal at 60. "She always remembers everyone she's met. It's just unbelievable her capacity to do all of it." For Mr Little, the Princess Royal's affection for Scotland is largely down to her wider family. "She has a lot of Scottish forebears," he said.

"The Queen Mother considered herself Scottish, and I think Anne, or at least a part of her, feels the same. The pride of Scotland has been passed down generations of the family." The Princess Royal's strong ties with Scotland are evident not only in her official engagements but also in her personal life. In 1992, dressed in a simple white suit with white blossoms in her hair, she married Commander Tim Laurence – now Vice Admiral Laurence – at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral. The wedding meal consisted of vegetable soup and wholemeal sandwiches, and, rather than jetting off to some far-flung tropical idyll, the happy couple went on to honeymoon in the Highlands. While their decision to wed in Scotland was partly down to the Church of England's refusal to allow divorcees to remarry in its churches, the romantic nature of the setting had a significant influence. Both her children, Zara and Peter, strengthened the ties by attending Gordonstoun. Peter, who now works in promotions for Royal Bank of Scotland, even represented the Scottish rugby team at schoolboy level. His mother's straight-talking style and rejection of every custom of the monarchy have also been regarded fondly by Scots.

She refused to let her children be given royal titles in an attempt to ensure their personal freedom, and is less reliant on bodyguards than other members of the Royal Family. Scotland, Mr Little believes, is a place where Princess Anne can escape and be herself. "I think it's important that, geographically, Scotland is a long way from London," he said. "She loves the people and attending functions, but it is also somewhere where she can find relative normality in her life. For example, she's an avid sailor, and I know she and her husband enjoy visiting Scotland for that reason." So inextricably linked is she with Scotland, one of the Princess Royal's numerous honours acknowledges her bond with the nation. A gift to mark her 50th birthday, she was appointed Lady of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle in recognition of her extensive charity work. Arguably, however, her most famous appointment was as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union. A regular cheerleader at Murrayfield, she was there to watch the national side play no less than five times last year. Wishing her a happy birthday, an SRU spokesman said: "The Princess Royal is a long-standing and committed supporter of Scottish rugby.

We were greatly honoured when she performed the official opening of the East Stand at Murrayfield in 1983 and were absolutely delighted when she became our patron in the 1986-7 season. She has been a most welcome visitor to Murrayfield in her capacity as our patron in every season since. "Having competed herself at the highest level in international sport, the princess is aware of the considerable demands placed on elite sports people and her empathy is always appreciated by the Scotland team." While her position at the SRU is the most high-profile, Princess Anne is involved with over 40 organisations in Scotland, whether charities, universities, societies or schools. She is, for example, president of Victim Support Scotland and an honorary member of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. She is also Royal Colonel of the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, and 52nd Lowland Regiment, 6th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland. But her work with many of smaller organisations – such as the Scotch Beef Club or Scotland's Churches Scheme – remains unknown to the wider public.

Numerous dates involving visits to care homes, the opening of piers, or functions at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, are simply not reported by the media at large. One body that has always been close to heart is the Northern Lighthouse Board, proof that her first love of Scottish life has been an enduring one. A committed amateur pharologist, a journey that began in 1956 at Tiumpan Head, continues to this day, and she has visited countless lighthouses that illuminate the nation's coastlines. Only this summer, she re-opened the Harbour Light Tower in North Queensferry, the world's smallest lighthouse. Lorna Hunter, information officer for Northern Lighthouse Board, explained: "Since becoming patron of the board in 1993, the Princess Royal has visited over 70 of our 208 lighthouses, including the most famous, Bell Rock, off the coast of Arbroath, and the most northerly, Muckle Flugga, off Unst in Shetland." There is, it seems, no clearer signal that the Princess Royal will go to the furthest lengths in order to see the country she loves.

"Anne keeps the profile of the monarchy high in Scotland," Mr Little said. "Whether it's to do with rugby or lighthouses, she has a great affinity with the country, and I'm sure she'll be back at Balmoral for a holiday before the summer is out." She’s still our Queen for a’ that - Telegraph Queen Elizabeth II She’s still our Queen for a’ that Her Majesty begins a week-long Jubilee tour of Scotland today. Despite the talk of independence, she will receive a warm welcome, says Allan Massie. Her Majesty inspects soldiers at the Ceremony of the Keys, Edinburgh, 2011 Photo: REUTERS/David Moir By Allan Massie Comments The Queen comes to Scotland at this time every year, taking up residence in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, hosting dinners and a garden party, and carrying out a variety of engagements. This year of course is special, and Scotland will give her as warm a Diamond Jubilee welcome as any other part of the kingdom. It may be somewhat less effusive, but only because that is our way of doing things. Sixty years ago her reign got off to a bad start here.

Scottish nationalism was scarcely a political force then, but many Scots objected to her being styled Elizabeth II. She was the first Elizabeth to reign over the United Kingdom, and no Elizabeth had ever been Queen of Scots. A few pillar boxes bearing the legend E II R were blown up. There was more disgruntlement when she came to Edinburgh to receive the Scottish regalia, and did so wearing ordinary day clothes and carrying a handbag. It is amazing that the prime minister, Winston Churchill, with his lively historical imagination, didn’t see that this was a faux pas; equally astonishing that his secretary of state for Scotland, James Stuart, brother of the Earl of Moray and a descendant of James V, didn’t object. This old business, which still rankles with some, is worth recalling because it illustrates the ambivalence of Scots with regard to the monarchy. On the one hand we like pomp, ceremony and ritual, and are rather good at providing these things: pipes and drums, kilted regiments, the Company of Archers (the Queen’s official bodyguard in Scotland), the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Common Ridings in the Borders, and such like.

On the other, we like to think of ourselves as more egalitarian, and informally egalitarian, than the English and, though it has been said with some truth that there is no snob like a Scottish snob, we probably are. An unofficial national anthem is Robert Burns’s A Man’s a Man for a’ That, with its assertion of the brotherhood of man; it was very movingly sung, in the presence of Her Majesty, at the inauguration of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. When Scotland was an independent kingdom, kings and queens lived cheek-by jowl with their subjects. The Canongate, long a poor quarter of Edinburgh, comes up to the gates of Holyrood. When an attempt was made by the half-mad Earl of Bothwell to murder, or more probably kidnap, James VI, the king appeared at his bedroom window in his nightshirt to assure his people that all was well. It is worth recalling that his title was King of Scots – that is, chief of his people – rather than King of Scotland – master of the land. Informality and frank speaking were common. Presbyterian ministers like John Knox and Andrew Melville spoke roughly to royalty.

Related Articles Just one in three Scots wants independence 25 May 2012 James V (1513-42) had the habit of travelling the country incognito, so that, as Walter Scott wrote, “he might hear complaints which might not otherwise reach his ears, and, perhaps, that he might enjoy amusements which he could not have partaken of in his avowed royal character”. Centuries later, the relationship between Queen Victoria and John Brown may have scandalised polite society in England. It seemed natural enough to Scots. Devotion and plain-speaking between Master (or Mistress) and Man were common in Scotland; there are lots of examples in the Waverley novels. For more than 100 years after the Treaty of Union of 1707, no reigning monarch came north of the border. The first to do so was George IV in 1822. His visit, choreographed by Sir Walter Scott, was a triumphant success. The king, unpopular in London, was delighted by his reception.

He stood in the rain on the terrace of Edinburgh Castle and said, “I must cheer my people.” The historian Sir John Plumb observed that he showed the way the monarchy must follow if it was to survive in a democratic age. By her purchase of Balmoral and her evident love of Deeside and her “loyal Highlanders”, Queen Victoria, who was pleased to proclaim herself a Stuart, cemented the relationship between the Crown and Scotland. Ever since, many have been pleased to think that members of the Royal family are never happier than when they come north on holiday. Others, admittedly, are less enthusiastic, seeing Balmoral as an example of “Highland landlordism”, the shooting and fishing estate owned by rich Southerners. Nor does the impersonation of Highland chiefs always go down well. The Prince of Wales – the Duke of Rothesay when he is in Scotland – never looks convincing when he dons the kilt and carries a crommack (shepherd’s staff). Yet the Royal family’s love of Balmoral does give them a stake in Scottish life they would not otherwise have, as does their practice, begun by Victoria, of worshipping in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

This Diamond Jubilee comes just two years before the proposed referendum on Scottish independence. Unionists certainly hope that the enthusiasm generated will stiffen support for their campaign. Its slogan is “Better together”, and they see the Queen as an embodiment of their argument. They may be right; the Jubilee is an affirmation of the reality of our dual identity: Scottish and British. Nevertheless, the monarchy is not an issue in the referendum. Though there are republicans in the SNP, and indeed it is not long since the party favoured the idea of a Scottish republic, the present policy is that the Queen would remain head of state in an independent Scotland. (She would probably be re-styled Queen of Scots to reflect the line that sovereignty belongs to “the Scottish people”.) This shift has been decreed by the First Minister, Alex Salmond, who recognises that there are already big enough obstacles in the way to securing a majority for independence without erecting another – and quite unnecessary – one by proposing to get rid of the monarchy. His party has obediently fallen into line, not without some grumbling.

Salmond himself is said to get on well with Her Majesty; they can talk racing together, for Salmond is an enthusiastic follower of the turf who has done time as a newspaper tipster. He has also had a good many conversations with Prince Charles over the years. There is nothing like contact with royalty for diluting republican prejudices. The truth is, however, that Salmond is too intelligent not to see that an endorsement of republicanism would weaken his chance of securing the majority for independence which he seeks. There is no reason to think republicanism has deeper support in Scotland than in England. Some regard the monarchy as an irrelevance; some criticise its cost (and the Royal family’s wealth); others think it an anachronism. Yet these views are as common and as frequently expressed both sides of the border, and in both countries represent minority opinion. Scots may be less stridently – some might say less sycophantically – royalist, but most of us are royalists, we admire the Queen’s devotion to duty and reciprocate the Royal family’s evident affection for Scotland.

It was a good idea to have Prince William go to Scotland’s oldest university, St Andrews, and it is pleasing that he fell in love with his future wife there. The Princess Royal is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union, and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the national team through good times, and the more frequent bad times, belting out Flower of Scotland with the rest of us. (She is of course a descendant of Scotland’s Robert the Bruce, as well as of Edward II, who was sent “homeward tae think again”). Nor do we forget that the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was the daughter of the Earl of Strathmore and loved to dance Scottish reels, even into her old age. John Buchan, in his autobiography, told the story of a shepherd’s wife from Upper Tweeddale who had walked 20 miles to see George V in his Silver Jubilee year. When asked why she had made the effort, she said “we maun a’ boo tae the buss that bields us” (We must all bow to the bush that shelters us). Probably few would put it like that nowadays.

Nevertheless the crowds that greet Her Majesty on her Diamond Jubilee tour of Scotland will be expressing the same sentiments of loyalty, gratitude, respect, and a well-earnt affection. Scottish announce Royal Patronage : London Scottish FC | Official Website Scottish announce Royal Patronage 26 January 2012 14:23pm By London Scottish FC is delighted to announce that HRH Princes Anne, The Princess Royal is to become Patron of the Club. Princess Anne is Patron of over 200 charities, as well as the Scottish Rugby Union and Friends of Scottish Rugby. However, it is thought that this will mark the first occasion that she has become Patron of an individual rugby club. As part of her patronage, Princess Anne will be likely to attend an official Club function, as well as lend her support to other Club initiatives such as the Community Programme, Powder ByrneSchools 6 Nations and Junior teams. London Scottish President Rod Lynch was instrumental in approaching Her Royal Highness: "This is a great and unique honour for London Scottish. I believe we are the only Rugby Club in the country with a Royal Patron although HRH is also Patron of the SRU and of Gloucestershire County RFU.

Despite being the busiest member of the Royal Family in terms of engagements I have no doubt she will be attending a number of our games and functions in the coming years." Burns Supper postponed until February 17/01/17 Due to a very substantial number of people being unable to attend the London Burns Supper on Saturday January 28th, this key club fundraising event for minis, junior and senior rugby has been postponed. Oli Shapley Special offer for pre-match hospitality this weekend! 17/01/17 For a limited time only we have a special offer ahead of our match on Saturday against Cardiff Blues Premiership Select at the Athletic Ground! Oli Shapley RBS Six Nations: Ticket Ballot Update 16/01/17 We are pleased to confirm that the ballot for tickets will take place this week and everyone should be notified whether successful or otherwise by the weekend. Oli Shapley Kelly: We must use Ulster match as a learning curve 15/01/17 Patrick Kelly says the Scots will head in to the final British and Irish Cup group stage fixture against Cardiff next weekend with nothing to lose and look to build on some impressive moments in the defeat to Ulster.

Oli Shapley Scottish Under 10s bring a storm to Chiswick 15/01/17 London Scottish U10s relished the cold wet weather away at Chiswick. There was no shortage of grit and determination from each player. Brett Hailey Highlights: Ulster 'A' 38-21 London Scottish 15/01/17 Watch all of the scores from the 38-21 British and Irish Cup defeat to Ulster 'A' at the Kingspan Stadium. Oli Shapley Scots see B&I Cup dreams ended after defeat to Ulster 'A' 13/01/17 London Scottish had their hopes of qualification in the British and Irish Cup dashed after a 38-21 defeat to Ulster 'A' at the Kingspan Stadium. Oli Shapley Scots see B&I Cup dreams ended after defeat to Ulster 'A' 13/01/17 London Scottish had their hopes of qualification in the British and Irish Cup dashed after a 38-21 defeat to Ulster 'A' at the Kingspan Stadium.

Oli Shapley An opportunity like no other - Could you be the next Mac? 13/01/17 London Scottish have teamed up with Tunnocks and created a brand new mascot to bring joy and excitement to young and old! Oli Shapley BIOGRAPHY: Princess Anne Lifetime twitter BIOGRAPHY Anne Elizabeth Alice Mountbatten-Windsor, officially styled HRH The Princess Royal, is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Anne was born on 15 August 1950 at Clarence House, London when her mother was Princess Elizabeth heir presumptive. She was christened at Buckingham Palace on 21 October 1950. The Queen granted her the title the Princess Royal – the seventh holder of this title- in June 1987, her official style having previously been HRH the Princess Anne. As daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and so a princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, she is automatically styled Her Royal Highness. Anne was educated at a private boarding school, Benenden School, in Kent, and began to undertake royal and official duties as a teenager in the late 1960s.

She started her royal public engagements alone when she was 18-years-old and had left school. Her first solo trip occurred in 1969 when she opened an educational and training centre in Shropshire. Her first state visit happened in May that year when she travelled to Austria with her parents. She married Mark Phillips, an army officer, on 14 November, 1973, and had two children, Peter in 1977 and Zara in 1981. Anne and Mark divorced in 1992, and she married Timothy Laurence, a naval officer and former member of the Royal Household, in December 1992. Princess Anne was the target of a failed kidnap attempt in March 1974 when Ian Ball, a 26-year-old man with mental health problems, ambushed Princess Anne's car in the Mall, London. He had asked her to "come with me for a day or two" because he wanted £2m. However, the princess was reported to have replied: "not bloody likely, and I haven't got £2m".

Ball was eventually apprehended after shooting and wounding two police officers, Princess Anne's driver and a journalist who had been following in a taxi. The incident remains the closest in modern times that any individual has come to kidnapping a member of the Royal Family. Anne is an outstanding horsewoman who was selected for the British three-day eventing team for the 1975 European championships, winning silver medals both as an individual, and as part of the team. She also competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and her success led to her appointment to the International Olympic Committee as an administrator, where she has reportedly made considerable efforts to fight the corruption in that organisation. She also took part in London's bid for the Olympic Games in 2012, which the country won. During the Games, she acted as a member of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. Like most members of the Royal family, she attended all of the events that marked her mother's Diamond Jubilee in June 2012 including a boat flotilla on the River Thames as well as the Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace. She also watched plenty of the Olympic events.

On 1 August 2012, she even presented her daughter Zara with a silver medal, which she won for her role at the team event in equestrian. Anne said: "She did very well". She also treated her daughter to a kiss on both cheeks showing rare emotion. Anne also maintains a schedule of royal engagements and charity work, notably the children's charity, Save the Children, of which she has been president since 1970. Her work with the charity has seen her travel to many countries, including Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Botswana, to name just a few. She is the patron of more than 200 charities in total and devotes a lot of her time to them. She was also closely involved with the creation of The Princess Royal's Trust For Carers, which provides support for the millions of individuals in the UK who look after an ill loved one, as well as Transaid and Riders for Health. The two latter charities try to overcome some of the difficulties caused by poor transportation in developing countries. In 1996, Princess Anne served as Her Majesty's High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

This role granted her, in Scotland, higher precedence just below her parents. She retains close ties with Scotland by virtue of her role as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union and attends most international games at Murrayfield. Once the most unpopular member of the Royal Family in the 1970s (when she earned the nickname Princess Sourpuss), she is now one of the most popular, although she is also known for being outspoken. Princess Anne hit the headlines recently when she made a comment about her son-in-law's nose. England rugby captain Mike Tindall admitted to the crew and producers of the Sky 1 sports quiz, 'A League of Their Own', that his mother-in-law had suggested he get his nose fixed, prior to marrying her daughter Zara. He explained: "Princess Anne asked me if I'd have the surgery." Tindall and the princess were once again in the press following the rugby captain's victory against Scotland in the Six Nations tournament. As the patron of the Scottish Rugby Union, the Daily Express described Princess Anne's duty to present Tindall with the Calcutta Cup as "galling".

Ahead of the match, Tindall said: "I would love to go up there and be presented with the cup from the Princess Royal. She's very knowledgeable about the game. She probably knows more about it than me." He admitted that the pair talk about rugby and said that the Princess Royal is a follower of his club, Gloucester, although he described her as "passionate" about Scottish rugby. BBC Sport - Inside Sport - Inside Sport: The Princess Royal at 60 Inside Sport: The Princess Royal at 60 Advertisement Inside Sport - The Princess Royal at 60 Inside Sport: The Princess Royal at 60 Thursday 12 August; BBC ONE 2235-2315 BST Repeated Sunday 15 August; BBC TWO 1400-1440 BST An exclusive Inside Sport documentary celebrates the life and times of Princess Anne, as the sports-mad Royal turns 60 on 15 August.

In a rare interview, John Inverdale talks to the Princess Royal about the many facets of her life, from being a member of the Royal family, a former Olympic athlete and a figurehead for Scottish rugby union, to her tireless work as a patron for over 200 charities and member of the London 2012 Olympic organising committee. Editors' Blog: Inside Sport The programme closely examines Princess Anne's long career in sport and looks at how the Queen's only daughter remains so popular and highly-respected amongst ordinary people. After winning the European Equestrian title in 1971, she famously won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and went on to compete at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Emlyn Hughes makes an unforgettable mistake In the 1980's the Princess made a famous appearance on A Question of Sport, having been mistaken for a man in the Pictureboard round the week before by team captain Emlyn Hughes. Dame Judi Dench and Lord Coe are among those paying tribute as the Princess Royal celebrates her 60th birthday.

We also hear a very personal insight from Princess Anne's children, Peter and Zara Phillips, who has successfully followed in her mother's equestrian footsteps. Bookmark with: Princess Anne to hit the rugby pitch in Scotland – Royal Central Princess Anne speaks out on ‘over-breeding, doping and indiscriminate horse trading’ The Princess Royal is set to open the Mains Park training facility at Linlithgow Rugby Club later this year. Her Royal Highness, who is Patron of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) and Friends of Scottish Rugby, will officially open the £500,00 training facility on July 8. The indoor Mains Park training facility was built last year, but will only come into use this November. The facility boasts a 3G pitch and a strength and conditioning suite, among others. Of the half a million pounds required to undertake this project, £80,000 was raised by the members through fundraising events such as a Gala Dinner, held at Murrayfield in association with the Bill McLaren Foundation. Craig Young, President of Linlithgow Rugby Club, said: “The Princess Royal is well-known for her long-standing support for Scottish rugby in her capacity as Patron of the SRU.

It is exciting that she should come to see the successful result of the efforts of Linlithgow Rugby Club as a community club at the grassroots level of the game.” “To have our new facility opened by The Princess Royal will be a fitting end to all our efforts and will give us all another great memory in the journey we have had in making our plans a reality,” Mr Young added. “It will be a tremendous day for the club and for the town.” Indeed, Princess Anne has a long and fond association with Scotland. She first visited the country as a five-year-old, when she accompanied her mother and older brother, Prince Charles, to the Isle of Lewis to see the Tiumpan Head lighthouse on the Eye Peninsula. Though was her first visit to Scotland; it was far from being her last. In 1992, Anne married her second husband, Timothy Laurence, in a Church of Scotland ceremony at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral Castle. For her fiftieth birthday eight years later, she was appointed Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry associated with Scotland, in recognition of her charity work.

Princess Anne is the patron of over 40 organisations in Scotland, including charities, schools and universities. She is President of Victim Support Scotland, and an honourary member of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Anne is also involved with the Northern Lighthouse Board, a fitting tribute to her first memory of the country. The Princess Royal also holds some military positions, including Royal Colonel of the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, and 52nd Lowland Regiment, 6th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland. Her Royal Highness was appointed Patron of the Scottish Rugby Union in 2012. Since then her appointment she has been a frequent spectator at Murrayfield, where she cheers on the national side. On the occasion of The Princess’s 60th birthday, a spokesperson for SRU said: “The Princess Royal is a long-standing and committed supporter of Scottish rugby. We were greatly honoured when she performed the official opening of the East Stand at Murrayfield in 1983 and were delighted when she became our patron in the 1986-7 season.

She has been a most welcome visitor to Murrayfield in her capacity as our patron in every season since.” “Having competed herself at the highest level in international sport, the princess is aware of the considerable demands placed on elite sports people and her empathy is always appreciated by the Scotland team,” he added.

Question: Which member of the royal family is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union?
Answer: Princess Anne, the Princess Royal